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Boyfriend's Birthday - Gift ideas?

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  • 07-09-2020 1:53pm
    #1
    Registered Users Posts: 474 ✭✭


    Hi! Not sure if this is the right place for this but I decided to give it a go.

    It's my boyfriend's birthday at the end of the month but I'm quite stumped on what to get him. It's the first birthday we've had while we've been together (nearly 11 months).

    He's turning 49. I've had a look at a few gift guides online for ideas but all they seem to suggest are beard oils, gaming equipment, and craft beer subscriptions! He's not into any of that. He doesn't really have any big hobbies either. I know what football team he supports, but he's not hugely into wearing football gear. He likes doing DIY projects but already seems to have every type of tool needed so that's a no go too. I'm really drawing a blank.

    Do any of the men here have any ideas? Any gifts you love to receive?


«1

Comments

  • Registered Users Posts: 28,097 ✭✭✭✭drunkmonkey


    A night away in a nice hotel with the jacuzzi in the room.


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,597 ✭✭✭Feisar


    As you said above regarding tool etc at his age he's going to have his kit sorted. I got a Filson leather belt at XMas. Depending on his style a pair of Barker shoes? A meal out is as good as any.

    To be honest and at a severe risk of being crass a body stocking and a blowjob would be A1.

    First they came for the socialists...



  • Registered Users Posts: 1,316 ✭✭✭Tilikum17


    A nice watch.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 261 ✭✭mbradso2003


    Cant go wrong with nice wallet


  • Registered Users Posts: 474 ✭✭newbie18892


    Thanks for the ideas so far everyone. I felt pretty unsure about buying a nice gift considering he's a bit older than me and has different tastes than I do. I didn't want to assume or get him something novelty he wouldn't use. Will look into wallets, belts, and watches I think.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 13,083 ✭✭✭✭How Soon Is Now


    Got loads of recommendations on here couple years back when I was looking for a new wallet and picked up a Secrid wallet and its been one the best things I've bought! Very handy and they look really unique and fancy as well.


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,597 ✭✭✭Feisar


    Thanks for the ideas so far everyone. I felt pretty unsure about buying a nice gift considering he's a bit older than me and has different tastes than I do. I didn't want to assume or get him something novelty he wouldn't use. Will look into wallets, belts, and watches I think.

    I was going to say be careful with the wallet. I loved one my wife got me but then she got me another from my son for Father's Day. I feckin' hate it but I'm stuck with it now!

    First they came for the socialists...



  • Registered Users Posts: 12,726 ✭✭✭✭Dtp1979


    I can bet you he doesn’t have these. I have these myself and I’ve recommended them to a few tradesmans partners and They are always well received. You’ll get them on eBay.


  • Registered Users Posts: 22,002 ✭✭✭✭Esel


    Dtp1979 wrote: »
    I can bet you he doesn’t have these. I have these myself and I’ve recommended them to a few tradesmans partners and They are always well received. You’ll get them on eBay.
    Don't keep us in suspense. What is it?

    Not your ornery onager



  • Registered Users Posts: 33,613 ✭✭✭✭listermint


    What type of DIY is he into. Anything specific he's done recently or big projects that he's shown you?


    There's no man who's into DIY that has all tools and doesn't want for need more


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  • Registered Users Posts: 474 ✭✭newbie18892


    listermint wrote: »
    What type of DIY is he into. Anything specific he's done recently or big projects that he's shown you?


    There's no man who's into DIY that has all tools and doesn't want for need more

    He mostly works with wood. He recently made a coffee table, and he's made a bookcase for me, and made his dining room table out of railway sleepers. He's also done a bit with electrics. Mostly altering lamps he buys and wiring plugs. I know next to nothing about tools but he does seem to have a lot.


  • Registered Users Posts: 12,726 ✭✭✭✭Dtp1979


    Esel wrote: »
    Don't keep us in suspense. What is it?

    Haha sorry forgot to add the attachment


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,817 ✭✭✭Darc19


    If he likes whiskey or even an inclination of liking it, look for an online tasting opportunity.

    You'll be sent 6 samples and then you join the tasting zoom meeting and have the banter.

    But if into woodcraft, maybe send an email to the carpentry store in Naas and ask their advice. They supply guys (and gals) who work with wood


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,306 ✭✭✭bobbyy gee


    electric razor.
    arts and craft items
    weight loss books


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,645 ✭✭✭krissovo




  • Registered Users Posts: 2,003 ✭✭✭veetwin


    bobbyy gee wrote: »
    electric razor.
    arts and craft items
    weight loss books

    Troll harder.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,868 ✭✭✭Sultan of Bling


    A night away in a nice hotel with the jacuzzi in the room.


    Maybe go away on your own.

    The premier league starts this weekend.

    Leave a few beers in the fridge and a just eat voucher for him.

    Trust me he'll love it.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,456 ✭✭✭Uncle Pierre


    Am roughly the same age myself as the upcoming birthday boy in this case, so here's my take on suggestions so far:

    Wallet - bit like somebody above, I used to have one that I really liked, but then my wife bought me one a few years ago that I didn't like as much. It just didn't seem to fit my pocket as well as the first one, or something. I felt obliged to swap over to it, but honestly, would have been happier if I'd just been able to keep the previous one. And personally, I don't like those ridge wallets at all, but I know that others do. But I reckon it's the kind of thing you'd want to be sure about before shelling out for one.

    DIY stuff - it's true that there's not a DIY enthusiast (or any sort of hobbyist) in the world who doesn't want some extra bit of gear. But again, be careful in what you go for. Used to do a lot of scuba diving myself before the kids arrived, and trust me, if ever there was a hobby where'd you be eyeing up gear all the time, it's that one. The wife, with the best intentions in the world, used to buy me stuff for birthdays and Christmas. But generally speaking, it was either something I had no use for, or else the wrong version of something I could actually have done with. She wouldn't just ask first, because "that would spoil the surprise". Would be the same with tools for DIY stuff, if you don't actually know for sure what you're buying, or what he already has or would like.

    To me, by far the best suggestion so far is a night (or even a weekend) away somewhere nice, with a good meal and a few drinks. As he's pushing 50, same as myself, there are probably not too many material things he wants that he wouldn't just pick up himself if he really wanted them. But to be made a bit of a fuss of is always nice.

    Maybe throw in some bit of small present too, like a book or tee-shirt or something like that. Or even, in keeping with the DIY theme, something like this -
    https://irishwoodengifts.com/products/personalised-hammer-engraved-hammer-wooden-hammer


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 321 ✭✭TheBlackPill


    What is your budget?
    a pocket multitool from a reputable company would be well appreciated. something like a Gerber Dime can go on a keychain.


  • Registered Users Posts: 15 Dtwhite123


    Sometimes experiences are better than material items, especially for someone in their 40s who probably has most of what they need. Maybe a weekend break away somewhere nice with bookings for a couple of attractions? Or some other kind of experience/outing, depending on what he likes?


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  • Registered Users Posts: 2,114 ✭✭✭noby


    I got the Secrid wallet a couple of years ago, and it was a great gift. The Ridge one above is similar.

    To be honest, at this stage, the novelty of going for a couple of pints would do it for me.


  • Registered Users Posts: 99 ✭✭bulleyes


    Maybe a falconry experience, hands on, one to one hawk walk.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 3,713 ✭✭✭Gods Gift


    3some.


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,239 ✭✭✭standardg60


    Dtwhite123 wrote: »
    Sometimes experiences are better than material items, especially for someone in their 40s who probably has most of what they need. Maybe a weekend break away somewhere nice with bookings for a couple of attractions? Or some other kind of experience/outing, depending on what he likes?

    Completely agree.
    If you want to add a small token of your feelings Gifts.ie do lots of personalised items that let you say what you want.


  • Registered Users Posts: 32,976 ✭✭✭✭NIMAN


    Dtp1979 wrote: »
    Haha sorry forgot to add the attachment

    Nothing says I love you like a hex Allen key set.


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,239 ✭✭✭standardg60


    NIMAN wrote: »
    Nothing says I love you like a hex Allen key set.

    I got a car washing sponge one Christmas..we're not together anymore.


  • Registered Users Posts: 33,613 ✭✭✭✭listermint


    He mostly works with wood. He recently made a coffee table, and he's made a bookcase for me, and made his dining room table out of railway sleepers. He's also done a bit with electrics. Mostly altering lamps he buys and wiring plugs. I know next to nothing about tools but he does seem to have a lot.

    Woodworking cool.

    Whatever you do don't buy a wallet. Gifts .is or a personalized hammer.

    You could buy.

    Kreg K5 jig. It's a pocket hole jig for cabinet making absolutely excellent tool I'd love if it was given to me but id to buy myself.

    If he has a woodworking table like MDF or ply with holes in good clamps are vital and more the merrier. Adding something like a bessey GH 20 to the collection would be good.

    Or maybe some marking tools like a tracer marker pen and a leather toolbelt for holding it in.


    Small wood working gadgets would be more appreciated than nick nacks they go into a drawer.


  • Registered Users Posts: 8,739 ✭✭✭893bet


    NIMAN wrote: »
    Nothing says I love you like a hex Allen key set.

    I was just about to say that.

    He def bust a big nut in you after that.


  • Registered Users Posts: 12,726 ✭✭✭✭Dtp1979


    NIMAN wrote: »
    Nothing says I love you like a hex Allen key set.

    When it’s made by wera then yes, you know you’re loved


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  • Registered Users Posts: 1,456 ✭✭✭Uncle Pierre


    listermint wrote: »
    Woodworking cool.

    Whatever you do don't buy a wallet. Gifts .is or a personalized hammer.

    You could buy.

    Kreg K5 jig. It's a pocket hole jig for cabinet making absolutely excellent tool I'd love if it was given to me but id to buy myself.

    If he has a woodworking table like MDF or ply with holes in good clamps are vital and more the merrier. Adding something like a bessey GH 20 to the collection would be good.

    Or maybe some marking tools like a tracer marker pen and a leather toolbelt for holding it in.

    Small wood working gadgets would be more appreciated than nick nacks they go into a drawer.

    Bit funny how you're actually proving my point even though you disagree with my own suggestion!

    Those three things might be good gifts all right, but they're all quite specialised and wouldn't be at all obvious to a well-intentioned "other half" who knows nothing or next to nothing about woodworking herself. Walk into a hardware shop with the intention of buying a present for a carpentry enthusiast, and it's unlikely that somebody would say "oh, those clamps look useful", for example.

    That's what I meant by saying how you'd want to know your stuff yourself before buying that type of gift for somebody.

    Experiences are a good present as well. I've had a go at rally driving, and also had my one and only ever spin in a helicopter thanks to those sort of presents. Not things I'd ever have gone and arranged for myself, but really enjoyed them after getting a voucher for them.


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